SANTA ANA, Calif. (March 4, 2026): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday celebrated the promotion of 26 personnel, including two new commanders, in a ceremony held at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.
“This is always an exciting time of year as we express gratitude for those who dedicated their lives to service and wish them the best in a well-earned retirement, while welcoming new leaders to carry the mission forward,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “Our two newest commanders serve with integrity and humility, bringing a wealth of experience that will positively influence their teams and this department as a whole.”
The promotion ceremony also included welcoming 6 lieutenants, 8 sergeants and 10 investigators to new ranks. All personnel will begin their new assignments on Friday, March 6.
Commander Jack Ackerman
Commander Jack Ackerman joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and served in custody operations, patrol operations and as an arrest and control techniques instructor at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy.
He promoted to investigator in 2013 and worked a variety of assignments, including general investigations and homicide, where he was nationally and regionally recognized for his investigative work on several high-profile cases, including the 2018 Aliso Viejo bombing and the 2018 Blaze Bernstein homicide.
When he promoted to sergeant in 2020, Commander Ackerman worked in custody operations and then as the investigative sergeant, overseeing cybercrime and computer forensics. He then served as the Homicide Detail sergeant for two years, leading the investigative response on a variety of cases, including the 2022 Presbyterian Church and the 2023 Trabuco Canyon mass shooting incidents.
Commander Ackerman promoted to lieutenant in 2023 before being assigned as a captain with the Court Operations Division. Most recently, he served a s the captain for Southwest Operations, overseeing southwest investigations and policing services for the city of Laguna Woods.
Commander Ryan Pierce
Commander Ryan Pierce joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1999 and was assigned to the Theo Lacy Facility before promoting to patrol in 2007, serving North Operations and the city of Stanton.
In 2010, Commander Pierce was assigned as a Recruit Training Officer at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy, mentoring recruits and preparing them to serve their communities.
He then was selected for the Special Weapons and Tactics team and Tactical Apprehension Team, conducting undercover operations and counter-surveillance operations.
Commander Pierce promoted to sergeant in 2014 and first served in custody operations before being assigned as the range sergeant, supervising operations for the department’s firearms training facilities.
In 2018, Commander Pierce was promoted to lieutenant and was assigned as the watch commander and administrative lieutenant for the Theo Lacy Facility. He then became the Department Commander in 2020, overseeing department-wide operations and calls for service.
In 2022, he was selected as the Academy Commander, overseeing the daily operations of the Orange County Sheriff’s regional Training Academy.
Most recently, Commander Pierce served as the Chief of Police Services for the city of Stanton, providing public safety services to the city’s approximately 40,000 residents.
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